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Stress and HAB1c

Stress does, for many of us. Not for all.

Do you have a Human Resources dept in your company? I used to work for one like that - prior to HR days - and had to become very inventive to "train" people not to call me in my time off. I feel for you.
 
GinA21 said:
I work for a company with a bullying and toxic culture. I get emailed and called with demands until late in the evening even after a 9 hour day. I am dreading my HbAc1 results. Will stress make it worse?
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Hi, I know this feeling.

Yes, stress will often elevate people's blood glucose, because the liver is trying to prepare for a fight or flee. That glucose is assembled by the liver - it doesn't come (directly) from food. In one sense, we've processed the glucose eaten once already, and that went into liver stores. Now it's coming back out of stores to be used.

Usually the glucose level falls very quickly as soon as the stress is removed, and the liver realises there's no more need for it.

Without knowing what else you've eaten etc it's impossible to guess what impact this could have on your A1c. As you know, it's not a direct measure of your blood glucose: it's a proxy via counting red blood cells that have had a glucose molecule attached at some point. If the stress has being going on for a while (it sounds like it's not new?) it was probably a factor in your last A1c as well. So there might not be such a big impact as you're fearing.

Best of luck. There are some decent employers around.
 
I find it does. Had a really stressful week last week and bg was higher each morning than has been in a while.
One thing I personally do is never have my work emails on my phone. I haven't ever been asked to, but I would refuse. I only check my emails when at work or doing eork at home on my work lap top.
 
GinA21 said:
I work for a company with a bullying and toxic culture. I get emailed and called with demands until late in the evening even after a 9 hour day. I am dreading my HbAc1 results. Will stress make it worse?
Click to expand...
I think it may be time for a second phone. One for work that gets switched off when you are done for the day, and one private number for the people who actually matter in your life.

Yeah, stress can be a blood glucose raising factor. But even if it wasn't, you're entitled to your private down-time, and it is over all healthier to guard it.
 
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GinA21 said:
I work for a company with a bullying and toxic culture. I get emailed and called with demands until late in the evening even after a 9 hour day. I am dreading my HbAc1 results. Will stress make it worse?
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear you are having to cope with a stressful situation at work. From personal experience stress can definitely put blood glucose numbers up especially if stress is long term. However it's how you deal or don't deal with the stress that would really make a difference to your long term numbers. Stress can lead to other habits such as more treats and affect important stuff like sleep. It's important to work out a coping strategy that works for you and helps you manage your stress.
 
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